Inspiration Workshop Week #2

This week's prompt is to be inspired by kitchens!

(via Southern Living)

Woohoo! I got very excited for this because I LOVE LOVE LOVE to cook!

Have you seen my cooking blog?

My favorite kitchens are the ones seen in Southern Living magazines.

I could look at them for hours.

Here is a kitchen I {dream} about...

and let's not forget...

Ms. Paula Deen's kitchen

and Ms. Julia Child's kitchen

(which I am proud to say I have visited at the Smithsonian-not far from my home sweet home)

love.

The colors in my kitchen are lime green and lemon yellow.

My favorite tool to use in my kitchen is my

Le Creuset dutch oven.

I honestly use it for everything, including, cooking pasta, soups, stews, whole chickens, etc.

It is versatile and WELL worth the money (mine was given to me by my grandmother).

My fiance, Nick, was also wonderful enough to get me the matching Le Creuset bakeware to go with the dutch oven pot.

My favorite recipe to share with others is Julia Child's boeuf bourguignon.

Hands down, the BEST thing I've ever eaten...in my life.

You MUST try it (be prepared however, it will take 3 hours to cook)!

You can find the recipe here.

Bon Appetit!

So, tell us, what inspires you?

Share your kitchen ideas, stories and pictures over at Gussy's blog!

...and if you haven't signed up for the inspiration workshop you're missing out!

Handmade Inspiration with Gussy Sews!

As you know, I'm excited to be taking a part of the inspiration workshop with Gussy!

This week we are loving everything handmade!

Gussy asked:

"Do you have a favorite blanket that your grandmother knitted for you? Does your child play with a HANDMADE toy? What about that construction paper and macaroni creation on your refrigerator? What do you make or want to make?"

My inspiration:

I remember seeing the movie "Stepmom" for the first time and instantly falling in love with it. And while I can honestly say, I've never had a loving connection with a "stepmother" figure, I certainly am lucky enough to have a wonderful mother.

In the movie, Susan Sarandon's character, Jackie, is diagnosed with terminal cancer and gives her daughter, Anna, a quilt that represents very significant times in her life. Included on Anna's quilt are pieces of fabric from a dress she refused to take off as a child, footprints from when she first walked, fabric from her mother's wedding dress, etc.

(photo from Google)

This is one of my favorite parts in the movie and I remember saying to my mom, "wow that is so special". Unfortunately for me my mom cannot sew, what-so-ever. BUT, she did remember this unique idea and surprised me with a quilt for Christmas that year. Even now, this quilt holds a special place in my heart and I think of her whenever I use it. Thanks mom!

For this workshop, I wanted to focus on handmade quilts. I know that I want to learn how to make one and keep it as a keepsake. Before she passed, my great-grandmother (Nan) told me she would teach me how to make one. Sadly that day never came but I want to uphold the tradition of something we could have done together.

Here are some pictures that are inspirational to me and make me swoon:

(Pottery Barn-where mom bought my quilt)

(a BEAUTIFUL bedroom from shabby chic)

...and by the way, if you haven't signed up for Gussy's workshop, you're really missing out! Join us and inspire us!

Inspiration Workshop with Gussy!!

As many of you know, I have joined the handmade community, particularly etsy. I was given a sewing machine for my birthday from my Mom-Mom and I really needed some inspiration to get this great big project started. I felt lost, overwhelmed. I honestly had no idea where to begin. The wonderful blogging community introduced me to Gussy and I will forever be grateful for that!

I ordered to items from Gussy when she was just starting out as a small business owner (she was able to increase her business so much that she quit her day job to create her beautiful bags full time!). Gussy suggested going to the library and checking out one of her favorite books on sewing called "Bend the Rules Sewing". Thank you Gussy, that made ALL the difference! Not only was I inspired but I was uplifted. I couldn't wait to get started!

I have now practiced, ripped apart, started over and managed to master the art of sewing! Hooray! I sell more product in person than I do online but I intend to increase my online sales as well in the near future. You will see more advertising from me as time goes on! Thank you for all of your support!

Gussy has opened her heart to her fans and fellow bloggers/crafters. She is starting a workshop starting on Thursday, June 2nd. She will send out a prompt on Fridays for you to elaborate on. You will post your responses on your blog and link up so that you can inspire others! What a great idea Gus!

I am really looking forward to this, especially because I believe that two heads are better than one and I love chatting with others who love to sew as much as I do!

Go visit her to sign up!

"these are a few of my favorite things"

In the words of Julie Andrews, "these are a few of my favorite things".

Here's some things that I really just LOVE...

This picture of my engagement ring taken by a good friend of ours, John Robinson

Being in Philadelphia this weekend, it will always be my home sweet home

Adele ( I love both of her albums )

picture from Google

Cooking kabobs on the grill

(picture from Google)

My Kindle

(picture from Google)

Lady Gaga
(yes she's crazy and way over the top-but she's a modern day Madonna so naturally I'm totally into her!)

This candle we got from Anthropologie, it makes our home smell HEAVENLY and because we got the large jar, it really has lasted a long time!

And of course, this precious farmers market tote that I recently created and listed on my etsy shop!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Nick and I have really been doing a lot with our outdoor patio area lately to get ready for summertime! We live in an apartment so it's tough to work with a small space but for now it's just what we need:o)




Starting my herb garden! I use a ton of fresh herbs when I cook, yum!



My basil is growing! Check out my Rosemary and flat leaf parsley




Our strawberry plant, these have been delicious so far!



Pretty purple flowers for color




I started planting some petunias but I think I may add pansies. Thoughts? What works well for you?



Nicks mom got me the piggy watering can from Smith & Hawken that I've wanted forever! Thank you! I love his tail:o)

And of course, we got a grill. Hey chef Nick!



The new zipped pouch I made with pale pink interior lining, do you like? Have you seen the new things in my etsy shop? Http://www.etsy.com/shop/lovenestdesigns and as a special treat, use code BLOGGER10 for 10% off at checkout!



We are heading home to Philadelphia tomorrow, woohoo! About 20 of our friends are all getting together to go to the Phillies game!!! You can only imagine how excited I am for this, it's been wayyyyyy too long:o) have a great weekend!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

New InitialTote Available!

I have a new initial tote available in my etsy shop! You are able to choose the color of your bag and initial to personalize it! What's not to love?

 I just love the quilted fabric!

Complimenting interior lining

For all of my blog friends, I am offering a 10% discount! Use the code: BLOGGER10 at checkout

What I've Been Up To

Hey everyone,
Once again I've been MIA for almost a month...it's been such a busy but amazing month for us and I have lots to report on!

My Dad and his fiancee came down to visit us in middle of April. We got to celebrate my Dad's birthday and my engagement:o)



Dad had not been to DC since he was a kid so we showed him all around the city seeing all the major landmarks including Georgetown Cupcakes!





(hummingbird cupcake was to die for)

Then at the end of April my Mom, brother, sister, stepdad, grandparents and very close family friends came down to visit all together! We celebrated EVERYONE'S birthdays and our engagement once again (it will never get old!).



My mom's mom gave me my something old to wear for my wedding day, a tiara that both she and my mom wore on their special day. I will be replacing the veil to a much less conservative and non-poofy style but the actual tiara brought tears to my eyes. So special!


(excuse the hair-it was one of those air dry kind of days!)

Nick and I celebrated Easter just the two of us, which made it kind of fun. It was really hard being away from my great big family for the holiday but I still managed to make a ham and all the other foods my Mom-Mom makes! Oh, and my apron made an appearance again!



(obviously I don't make my bed on Easter lol!)



Easter cupcakes I made

Here's a sneak peek of some of our engagement pics (which I will post in a separate post):







And finally, as you all know, I was up and ready to watch the royal wedding at 3:30 am! I made scones, princess cupcakes and mimosas and tea of course!









My royal headband I made!



My friend and I even wore cocktail rings to represent Dianas!



Kate looked STUNNING, she just left me speechless. And obviously William, in red? Wow, again, speechless.

And...



The kiss:o) glad I caught that one on tape!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone